The former TV presenter said: "This is part of who I am. I can't change it now but this happened over 20 years ago.

"It is now time to call off the hunt for these pictures and let me get on with the job I was elected to do. No one should have to worry that something they did when they were young might prevent them from getting involved in politics at a local or national level."

The hunt for the snaps began after Mrs De Piero said this week she understood why women pose topless.

She told how she agreed to the photoshoot after her dad gave up work due to ill-health.